by Ian Donnis and Scott MacKay

Wither the Woonsocket tax legislation?

Legislation that would allow Woonsocket city government to impose a supplemental property tax increase to keep the city from the slouching into bankruptcy is up for action on the state Senate floor this afternoon. The measure is likely to win Senate approval, where it has the backing of the Senate leadership and Sen. Roger Picard, D_Woonsocket.

The House, however, is a different story. Woonsocket’s House members, Democrats Jon Brien and Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, have not signed on to the legislation. So don’t be surprised if the Woonsocket tax package goes down to the wire in the Assembly and ends up as a last-minute budget article.

The state should stay out of local issues like this. If localities needs to raise taxes, they should be allowed to do so. If the state doesn’t like it, then have them pony up some more money to help out RI localities…put up or shut up!